Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in many parts of the world including Hong Kong and other parts of Asia. Over the last several decades there have been reports that breast cancer epidemiology among Asians including Chinese is different to that of the Caucasian population. There is a lower breast cancer incidence, but younger age of presentation. It has been suggested that genetic predisposition may play an important role in Asian women who have breast cancer relating to these differences. In the West, 5-10% of all breast cancers are hereditary, in particular due to mutations of the BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 gene. These can be passed on through the generations. However, little is known of their prevalence or spectrum in Asian populations including Chinese and therefore management and care are generally based on Western guidelines which may not be appropriate in our population

1 in 20 women in Hong Kong suffer from breast cancer and the numbers are rapidly increasing particularly for the pre-menopausal age group and this is becoming a major health issue.

The Hong Kong Hereditary Breast Cancer Family Registry was established in March 2007. Clinical information of patients and their family who have been identified as High Risk based on the family history or age at diagnosis from collaborating Hospital Authority and University based hospitals and private breast specialists will be entered into the Registry with their consent. The aim of the registry is to

1. Provide statistical information on the prevalence and spectrum of BRCA mutation of our population
2. Allow an organized and more personal follow up on the progress of families who have been identified to be of high risk or have been diagnosed to have hereditary breast (and ovarian) mutation so that early diagnosis through preventative and therapeutic interventions can be achieved
3. Provide support for a broad research agenda in the genetic epidemiology of breast cancers and related cancers including identification of novel and founder mutations
4. Identify and follow over time a cohort of individuals who and their families span the spectrum of breast cancer risk
5. Identify an ethnic-specific model for risk assessment in our population so that management can be tailor made to our populationˇ¦s specific needs
6. Extend statistical information collection of breast cancer patients to other parts of Asia including China and Phillipines in future.
7. Compare our data with that of Asians in Western countries to identify gene-enviromnental factors related to breast cancer

 

 
   
   
   

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